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Can we blame the Europeans for Starbucks being so bad? Maybe I’m being a little unfair, but please bear with me. The Italians and Scandinavians have got coffee right, but much of Europe seems trapped in a love of filter coffee and burnt, watery espresso that tasted like someone emptied their ash-tray into your cup. […]

For a culture producing the finest food and wine in the world, the miserable standard of French coffee can come as a surprise. To make coffee this bad cannot be accidental – it’s a case of murdering coffee beans, not manslaughter. But another French revolution has been brewing (sorry) over the last few years. As […]

I must confess – I’ve been unfaithful. Especially when I’m out of town. And we’ve had our rocky periods. But I always come back. I never thought I’d fall in love with a Newtown girl, but for ten years, we’ve been going steady. I can’t remember who introduced us, but Campos has been my favourite […]

Katsu, sushi and soy sauce this good are dangerous. Especially when dining with Saucepiggy. I’m wary about reviewing Sushi Yachiyo in Darlinghurst – it’s busy enough already – but, with outposts in Surry Hills and Mosman, I hope there’s enough sushi to go around. It’s a small, dark venue that fills up quickly and pumps out some […]

Never dine with a vegetarian, it’ll end in tears – or brussel sprouts, which is just as bad. I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks vegetarians are anathema to food and dining, taking far too much enjoyment from not eating things. Consider the reverse – has this steak been cooked with any non-meat […]

Never get between a bear and her young. Or a bear and food. In this case I was sharing a couple cakes with The Bear at Flour and Stone – a tiny shop hidden on Riley st near the city. If willy wonka gave up making lollies and chocolate to open a bakery, this would be it. […]

I always wanted to open up a cafe in Canberra and call it Anywhere but here. But then I’d have to live in Canberra, which would be too much irony to bear. I’m sorry, I don’t like the place – yes, it grows on you, but so does fungus. Canberrans will try and convince you it’s […]

I tread warily into the debate about the best coffee shop in London – instead, let’s focus on where I like to have coffee when I’m in town. My current favourite is Ozone, but it’s not where I have my first coffee. For that we need to rewind. Flights into London from the colonies tend […]

A stop over in Hong Kong on the way to and from Europe is a great opportunity to eat enough dumplings until I almost morph into one (is Crystal Jade the best dumpling chain ever?!). But good coffee? It seems third wave coffee has finally hit the streets (and escaped the malls – thankfully). Braving […]

The Berlin coffee scene has finally gathered momentum. There are a few cafes I’d recommend – No Fire, No Glory!, Five Elephants, The Barn – but Double Eye remains my favourite. Seating is limited, there’s no wifi, and if you’re a typical tourist then it’s on the other end of town (but Prenzlauerberg is soooo […]